Red blood cell particles for near-infrared treatment of port-wine birthmarks
Erythrocyte-derived particles for near infrared phototherapy of port wine stains.
This work is developing tiny particles made from red blood cells to help near-infrared lasers clear port-wine birthmarks more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11303246 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Port-wine stains are birthmarks caused by malformed skin capillaries that often do not respond well to current pulsed dye laser treatment. The team is making microscopic particles from red blood cell membranes and loading them with the safe dye indocyanine green so they absorb near-infrared light deep in the skin. These particles are designed with extra cholesterol so they stay in the bloodstream long enough to be hit by a 755 nm laser and heat the abnormal vessels directly. Early work uses laboratory and animal testing to check where the particles go and whether the approach can safely improve blood-vessel targeting.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with port-wine stains (congenital capillary malformations), especially those who have had limited benefit from standard pulsed dye laser therapy, would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without port-wine stains, or those with contraindications to blood-derived products or to indocyanine green, are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let lasers reach and close deeper or stubborn port-wine vessels, improving clearance with fewer treatments and less skin damage.
How similar studies have performed: Indocyanine green and near-infrared photothermal approaches have been used in other settings, but using red-blood-cell-derived particles to target port-wine stains is a novel, mostly preclinical strategy.
Where this research is happening
Riverside, United States
- University of California Riverside — Riverside, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anvari, Bahman — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Anvari, Bahman
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.